BLM plans mustang, burro adoption event

Cody, a mustang gathered in Nevada as a yearling, was adopted in 1989. Since then, he has been successfully shown in dressage, competitive trail events, English and Western pleasure, jumping, Western trail, timed events and trick riding. (Photo courtesy/BLM)

LAKEPORT ? Young and healthy wild horses and burros looking for new homes will be available for adoption at a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) adoption event Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

The BLM will offer 60 horses and 10 burros ranging in age from under 2 to about 5 years old.

The adoption event opens with an hour of silent bidding beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. Animals not taken during bidding will be available for BLM's $125 adoption fee.

"With spring here and long summer days ahead, the timing is right to begin training an adopted mustang or burro," said Pardee Bardwell of the BLM's Ukiah Field Office. "To help people get started, we will feature free training demonstrations during both days of the adoption event."

BLM volunteers who have adopted and gentled their own wild horses will be on hand both days, sharing techniques for training horses without inflicting pain or fear. The volunteers will hold several sessions, working with horses directly from the BLM adoption pens.

Bardwell said the BLM endorses using gentling techniques, not "breaking," for those adopting wild horses and burros. "Our trainers will show and discuss methods that can be used with horses adopted during our event, or on horses already in the corrals at home. These training methods build bonds of trust between the horse and rider."

The horses were gathered last fall from the Fox-Hog and Coppersmith herd management areas in Northwest Nevada and from the Devil's Garden Herd Territory in Modoc County. All are known for producing good-sized horses that excel at ranch work, pleasure riding and endurance riding. Burros come from Southern California deserts.

All available animals have received de-worming treatments and vaccinations for West Nile virus, rabies and common equine diseases, and all have negative Coggins test results. Adopters receive complete health care records so they can begin a health care program with their veterinarians.

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have no convictions for inhumane treatment of animals. BLM staff members will interview all prospective adopters to be sure they meet the BLM adoption requirements, which includes specifics for corrals and space.

"Adopted animals should be kept in this corral until they can be approached, handled, haltered and led," Bardwell explained. "Nongentled animals should not be placed in large, open pastures."

Adopters must provide a halter and lead rope. BLM wranglers will halter and load adopted animals. Adult horses must be transported in stock trailers with side-swinging gates.

Title to adopted wild horses and burros remains with the federal government for one year. After providing a year of good care, adopters can receive title. The BLM, or a representative, will check on the condition of the animal during the one-year adoption period.

"Wild horses are strong, loyal, intelligent and very trainable," Bardwell said. "Adopters find they are great for pleasure riding and trail riding, back country packing, ranch work and competition. People train burros for back country packing, pulling carts and riding."

Wild horses and burros are protected by a federal law, the Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act. The law recognizes the animals as "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the west," and requires the BLM to manage the wild herds.

The BLM periodically gathers horses and burros to control herd populations on ranges shared with wildlife and domestic livestock. Herd sizes are controlled to ensure there is sufficient feed and water for all range users.

There are about 32,000 wild horses and burros roaming on public rangelands in the western states. More than 205,000 animals have been placed in private care since the BLM's Adopt-a-Horse-or-Burro Program began in the early 1970s.